March 11 | I have been really surprised by all of the emails I have been receiving from friends in the United States. These are people I befriended when I was at university in Colorado. They write to me often to check up on my safety and to see how I am managing, given the horrible situation in Gaza.

I used to tell them a lot about my home when I was at university - the beautiful sea and how good Gazan food is. Most of them asked me "what do you do for fun?" My response most often was, "If all my family members are safe, then that is all I need."

I was certain that after I left the States, I would only exist for them as part of their memories. But this has not been the case, particularly in the wake of this last crisis. Let me share with you some of what they have written to me:  

… "I have been thinking of you as Gaza is once again in the news. I hope that you and your family are fine."

… "You must be really busy, being right at the heart of this major conflict,"

… "ARE you still alive? Please respond."

I tell them I am fine, trying always to stay positive. It is the work that ANERA does - helping make people's lives better - and my writing about it that really buoys my spirits. Just today, we got a shipment into Gaza of fortified milk that will give 20,000 preschoolers something to fill their stomachs for the next 14 days.

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